Only with Your Heart

TL: Leila

Editor: QianMin

Proof-reader: Kay

With You (1)

Chizuru slowly opened her eyes, lured by the distant chirping of birds and the sunlight tickling her eyelids.

The light was so bright that she blinked several times as soon as she opened her eyes.

Although her mind was not completely clear yet, she was still awake enough to have a vague grasp of her situation.

I’m on the …… bed.

Right now, it’s probably morning.

She remembered the little window over there. In the early hours of the morning, the light would always come in at an angle like now. It was as if it was teasing Chizuru’s low blood pressure and encouraging her to get up. 

Yes, just like now.

Chizuru tried to sit up unconsciously, but her body was so heavy that she could hardly move. A slight chill ran through her body, which made her shudder.

This place….

Me….

“Luk……rov……”

It felt like she had been dreaming for a long, long time.

It was a dream where one wouldn’t know where the dream began and where reality began. She had been going back and forth through the dream world, which was sometimes empty and suffocating, and sometimes so sweet that it was captivating.

However, Lukrov was always there, calling Chizuru’s name over and over, and gently stroking her hair….

“Lukrov….?”

Chizuru, once again, called out the name of the man she loved.

As soon as she returned to reality, she felt as if she had suddenly been separated from him, and her heart beat faster with anxiety, even though in her dreams they were always together.

The morning sun was so bright in her eyes, and since she had not opened them for a long time, she had to blink again to get them used to the light.

Chizuru turned her head, seeking out the figure of the tall, dark-haired knight. Each movement she made caused her joints to creak, and her dry throat would ache. But it didn’t matter.

Lukrov.

‘I can endure any amount of pain as long as you are safe.’

‘I’ll give anything to honor the promise I made to you. So stay here.’

But Lukrov was nowhere to be found.

Instead, the familiar room stood in the background, except for a new peach-colored flower placed on a wooden shelf sharing the quiet space with Chizuru.

Chizuru’s face crumpled unconsciously, and she attempted to hold back the tears that were threatening to overflow. But it was difficult.

“Where …… is Lukrov ……?”

She remembered her shoulder getting pierced by an arrow for him.

She also remembered how they both fell off the horse and how the tip of the arrow got entangled in Lukrov’s chainmail and got stuck. Despite the enemies coming at him from all sides, Lukrov fought on while he held her tightly with one hand and swung his sword with the other.

The shock and pain that struck her each time were indescribable.

Lukrov continued to cut down his enemies while apologizing to her over and over again. 

‘I’m sorry, Chizuru, I’m sorry… I beg you, please hang in there,’ he said. 

If it wasn’t for his continuous pleads, she wouldn’t be able to stay conscious. In the face of the amount of suffering she was going through, she would have given up her consciousness or even her life.

And when the battle was over, and the surroundings became quiet, Lukrov, with the help of Roan, managed to take off his chainmail and tried to pull out the arrow.

Perhaps it was due to the intense pain she felt at that moment that she lost her conscience.

The rest of her memory was fuzzy and vague. She was unable to tell her dream and reality apart.

But she did remember some things.

Lukrov’s gentle, faint voice.

The sensation of his rough, unshaved skin touching her cheek. 

The hot tingling she felt every time he stroked her hand or combed her hair. 

Was it all a dream?

She had no means to know. 

But if it was real, then why wasn’t he here ……?

Her whole body felt as heavy as water-soaked mud, and her shoulders ached, but she wasn’t even able to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“Please …… Lukrov …….”